A few weeks ago, I attended my first blogging conference. I wasn’t even going to write about it here, because let’s face it – 90% of you aren’t bloggers and really could care less about who I met or what I did. But I learned some pretty important lessons. Lessons that went way beyond the blog and straight into real life. Lessons that I think everyone needs, whether you are a mother, blogger, professional, or just someone trying to get by.

I went to this conference, hoping to make some connections and to learn ways to make my blog and my business better. And while I did make some connections, and I did learn a few things, the biggest thing I took away was that we are all in the same boat. No matter our circumstances, no one’s life is perfect. We are all just trying to get through each day the best way we know how. Some of us are trying to raise our children to be good people. Some of us are trying to make a difference in the world. And some of us are trying to just find a way to get through each day. But all of us – no matter the circumstances that surround our lives – just want to be good people. We want to be successful. We want to be loved.

MY LATEST RECIPES

I had a couple of really good conversations with a couple of different people. We were talking “blog”, but I don’t think they realized just how deep these conversations ran with me. I don’t talk about it a whole lot on here, but life has been equally crazy and hard lately. The last few years have been quite trying on my family. And right now, this blog means everything to me. It is what is keeping a roof over our heads. I work tirelessly trying to make my place here online better day by day. But sometimes – ok, a lot of the time – I get down on myself. I’m really bad about comparing myself to others and start to feel like I am going nowhere. That I’m not good enough. That I’ll never be like those other bloggers.

But these conversations – with a few girls that will forever be close to my heart now – snapped me out of the funk that I was in. I realized that I’m not the only one feeling this way. And that comparing myself does nothing but bring me down. I realized why I do this – and who I do this for. I don’t do this so that I can fit in with the most popular bloggers. I do this because I love to connect to my readers. I love to inspire people to get into the kitchen. I love to make your life as a mother, a woman (or a father or man) easier.

Here I am in my mid 30s, now realizing that being myself is ok. That it is more than ok. We are all just people – trying to make the best of our lives. There is no reason to waste time trying to “fit in”. Be who you are. If you are a blogger – make sure you are the person offline that you are online. And reach out and help someone. You may never know how much you have to offer. I learned more from the conversations I had with other bloggers at this conference than I did in all of the classes I went to.

And then there was dip. If you stuck with me through all of that, your reward is this recipe. And it is a definite reward. Last week, I attended a little impromtu bbq. I wanted to bring something, and I saw a version of this dip forever ago that I had been wanting to try. What better time that when you can share it with friends? This was absolutely everything I was hoping it would be. And I’m pretty sure it was a hit at the bbq as well. I went home with only about 2 tablespoons left – that I promptly ate up the minute I walked in my door that night. I have been totally into grilling corn this summer, and I’m always into green chiles. Stick it all into a dip – I knew I couldn’t go wrong!!

I love this post! What a great message. I don’t have a fancy or popular blog, and some days I get discouraged because I don’t have a lot of readers. But I can’t compare myself to the super popular bloggers out there – I need to remember that this is just a side hobby, and I blog to share my love of baking with others and hopefully I make people smile and encourage some people to get in the kitchen. Thanks for that reminder!!

@Colleen @ What’s Baking in the Barbershop?!, please don’t get discouraged! I love what you do, and I admire anyone who is a food blogger strictly for hobby – it is a lot of work! Thank you for sharing your love of baking with me!

Now this is something I could devour in its entirety! Gorgeous Deborah.
I’m glad you’re out of your blogging funk – it wasn’t until after BlogHer here in Seattle that I was able to walk away revitalized and inspired again. Keep up the fabulous work – there are plenty of us rooting for you and adoring everything you do!

Amazing, you are absolutely AMAZING. I am so happy to have found this blog and you. You are inspiring, God bless and I pray that everyday something in your life shines just a little bit brighter so that eventually you can also see how you shine!!

What a great post! I would never have thought that you would think your blog was not good enough…I LOVE your blog!!!! Everything is so professionally done but what I love most is that you find time to visit little blogs like mine whose pictures really aren’t very good. I always feel really touched when you leave a comment. Actually I was just telling my husband about your blog last week that I”m always amazed that a blog as good as yours finds time to visit mine and leave a comment..Thank you!

@Asiya, I’ve always thougth it was important to return the comment love. I know things sometimes get busy and I get impossibly behind, but I think having that relationship with readers is one of the things that makes this all so wonderful! Thank you for your comments, as well. I treasure and am grateful for every comment I get!

See!!! See all of us that love you and what you are doing?! The best part of evo, for me, was spending all of that time together. I feel like I gained a fantastic friend and support. You’re wonderful, and thank you for finally posting my favorite dip recipe. I could swim in it. 🙂

You do a great job with your blog! You have an adorable family and they are truly blessed to have you. 🙂 I wish we still lived close, I really miss our dinner group. At least I get to still enjoy your food through your blog! Keep up the great work & never forget that you are an extremely talented woman. If all else fails, just know that I think you are amazing, and an inspiration. <3!

first of all, your blog is beautiful and amazing. i want to (and often do) pin just about everything you post. second, i know exactly what you’re talking about. i’m the same age as you, and like you mentioned, i’m just now working to get to a place where i can just be okay with me and the level that i’m at. i catch myself constantly comparing myself and i’m really working to stop.

Deb, what a wonderful, sharing post for all of us to enjoy and learn from. I LOVE how honest and heartfelt you are about your life, and that it isn’t all as perfect as our pictures make it out to be. Evo was awesome, and definitely the best part was the time spent with you guys. I respect you so much, and am so glad to have you as a friend. XOXO

Deborah,
I thank you so very much for your honesty about your feelings and insecurities. I have those ALL the time about my blog, that it’s not good enough and doesn’t measure up to all of the incredible blogs I come across every day. I am even hesitant to go to a food blogging conference because of it despite knowing that if I attend, I could really benefit from it. It’s comforting to know that even the most established and creative bloggers such as yourself have the same feelings. I think it just makes us all human.
Big hugs!

What a lovely post Deborah! Your thoughts and feelings are so beautifully written. I feel the same way sometimes. I work so hard on my blog and at doing my freelance work and I sometimes feel that other people that haven’t been blogging as long have more likes, comments, opportunities, etc. But this is a competitive industry and it drives me to be the best I can be! And that’s what I do, just put my heart, into this passion and give honest work. And because of this I think that I have been blessed with the opportunities I have been given and will hopefully gain more opportunities in the future. I love your blog and wish you continued success, Deborah. So glad you had fun at your first blogging event. I am headed to my first one next year (Blogher Food) and hopefully we will get to meet at one soon!

Such a beautiful and touching post, Deborah! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and experience from this amazing event. I am so happy to have gotten to know you through blogging and that is what I always love about doing this, meeting people like you that I wouldn’t have met if it wasn’t for blogging. I truly admire your blog and think you are amazing! I hope one day we’ll be able to meet in person. Until then I’ll have to enjoy a bowl of this amazing dip! 🙂

I’ve had this post up in my browser for several days now waiting for time to leave a comment. Love this post Deborah, everything about it. What a great recap of Evo (love all the photos!) and I completely agree that the most inspiration and learning at these conference comes more from the other attendees than from the conference itself. I enjoyed or short chats at Evo and I wished that we saw each other more so we could chat more. I continue to be amazed by you and your blog. Thinking of you!

I just found this post while reading your new Tilapia with Corn Recipe (YUM)…and just wanted to say thank you!! Such an inspirational and beautifully written post. Seeing how far your blog has come since you wrote this…WOW!!! You’re doing it! Congrats. And thanks so much for the bite of inspiration! You are one of the blogs that I’ve looked up toward since I started blogging last year. Keep up the amazing work!